This publication provides stimulating analysis on future scenarios of
energy use, which focus on a range of technologies that are expected to
emerge in the coming years and decades.There is now universal
recognition of the fact that new technologies and much greater use of
some that already exist provide the most hopeful prospects for
mitigation of emissions of GHGs. It is for this reason that the
International Energy Agency, which in the past pursued an approach
based on a single time path of energy demand and supply, has now
developed alternative scenarios that incorporate future technological
changes. In the Fourth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental
Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) as well, technology is included as a
crosscutting theme in recognition of the fact that an assessment of
technological options would be important both for mitigation as well as
adaptation measures for tackling climate change.
The scientific evidence on the need for urgent action on the problem of
climate change has now become stronger and convincing. Future
solutions would lie in the use of existing renewable energy technologies,
greater efforts at energy efficiency and the dissemination of
decentralized energy technologies and options. This particular
publication provides much analysis and well-researched material to
stimulate thinking on options that could be adopted in these areas. It is
expected that readers who are knowledgeable in the field as well as
those who are seeking an understanding of the subjects covered in the
ensuing pages would greatly benefit from reading this publication.